Chapter 7 Text Transcript
Chapter 7
MHE – PAGE 143
CHAPTER 7
DEFECT
MHE – PAGE 144
Ulrich:
God damn it!
I hate you! I hate you so much!
When this is over I’ll wring your neck myself!
Phineas:
Can you swim?
Ulrich:
What the hell are you talking about?!
We! Are about! To die!
COULD YOU FOR ONCE be FUCKING RATIONAL?!
MHE – PAGE 145
Hazard:
I must be frank,
I wasn’t certain such a simple trap would actually work.
But now it’s clear my initial assessment was correct.
You are an idiot.
Oh please.
There’s no need for all that.
MHE – PAGE 146
Phineas:
What? How did-
Hazard:
As I was saying, before you so boorishly interjected. . .
Do you really think there’s anyone here who isn’t working for me?
It would seem Gideon’s ridiculous ideals have rubbed off on you, miss commander.
Phineas:
Wait, Gideon? Crow Gideon? How do you know him?
Is-is he here?
Hazard:
. . . Good lord.
How old are you?
Phineas:
Huh?
Ulrich:
Koff!
Phineas:
Does it matter?
Hazard:
You could be my DAUGHTER.
If you’re this age now, and you’re. . . Gideon allowed you to take his mark, you couldn’t have been more than a child when he made the change.
I keep thinking he can sink no lower, yet here you are.
Phineas:
. . . How, do you know him?
MHE – PAGE 147
Hazard:
Well, this DOES explain a few things, at the very least.
Gideon would never have taken a student unless the circumstances were. . .
Extenuating.
Phineas:
He knew I had good potential.
Hazard:
Mmm, no, darling.
YOU were a novelty he mangled so grievously he felt obligated to try and fix you.
Phineas:
Get off!
Hazard:
He felt guilty for mutilating a child.
Phineas:
H. . .
He wouldn’t-
Hazard:
I bet it burns, still, doesn’t it?
Worst at sunrise, perhaps?
I bet you hid in the dark for ages afterward.
Phineas:
. . .
Hazard:
How were those first few months, hmm?
Phineas:
Probably a lot like yours were after you got that eye, Hazard.
MHE – PAGE 148
Hazard:
Oh lovely, that saves me the trouble of introducing myself.
How am I reading these days?
Phineas:
You’re gross and I hate you. You feel like a dead fish.
Hazard:
(Mm-hmm Hmm~)
Well,
If our mutual accquaintance sent you as some sort of attempt at peace, I’m sorry to say that bird has long, long since flown.
Phineas:
No one SENT me. I sent me.
This has nothing to do with him. I haven’t seen Gideon in a long time.
Hazard:
. . . Still breaking hearts I see.
Why are you here causing me trouble, then?
Phineas:
I’m going to Kairos Crossing, I’m here to get a heart for a ship.
Hazard:
. . . While there are a myriad of reasons why that statement is unfortunate for you. . .
Outstanding among them is that the only stone here that’s suitable for a ship is currently powering my own.
Phineas:
Alright then.
I’m gonna take your ship’s heart and go to Kairos Crossing.
Hazard:
I’m afraid I’m not looking to give it away.
Phineas:
I didn’t say give.
I said take.
MHE – PAGE 149
Hazard:
I’m sure you’re very intimidating around whatever backwater province you crawled here from.
But you’re really going to have to do better than that.
And you. Am I safe to assume you’re part of this ship stealing entourage?
Ulrich:
Actually I’m
Phineas:
Yes, he’s mine.
Ulrich:
Don’t speak for me!
Phineas:
Oh shush, you don’t know what you want.
Ulrich:
ExCUSE me!? I am not an object!
Certainly not YOUR-!
Phineas:
!
God DAMN-!
Hazard:
The adults are speaking, now.
Honestly I don’t think you pose much of a threat to me, but those guns you’re hiding don’t belong to an amateur.
I could use you.
If you’d like to come work for me I’ll let you out of these cuffs right now.
Ulrich:
Ah ha ha
You couldn’t afford me.
Hazard:
You don’t think so?
Phineas:
Hee hee
Ulrich:
The thing is, I’m very familiar with what real gangsters are like. You don’t quite fit the bill.
I only work with headliners, darling. You’re b-list at best.
MHE – PAGE 150
Hazard:
You are aware of what you’re saying? She’s going to die either way, but I have no issue with you.
It would be a shame to let your talents go to waste over her.
Gerard:
Ahem.
Ulrich:
Ach, my response was too ambiguous.
Allow me to clarify my position for you:
Phineas:
Hee! Hee! Hee! Hee!
Ulrich:
Eat shit, sir.
Hazard:
Charming.
Ulrich:
Like that one?
Phineas:
(Hee hee!)
It hurts to laugh
Hazard:
Very well.
Ladies, if you would.
Penelope:
Relax, ok?
We just need your stuff.
Phineas:
Don’t touch him.
Ulrich:
Um
Phineas:
Put me down!
Penelope:
Quit fighting! I don’t want to hurt you.
Phineas:
Let go!
Gerard:
Don’t make this hard.
Ulrich:
It’s alright, I intend to come quietly.
Phineas:
We do not!!
Dinkley:
Please calm down.
Phineas:
Hey!!
Hazard:
This. . .
This does NOT belong to you.
Phineas:
Does too! Jocasta gave it to me!
MHE – PAGE 151
Hazard:
You LIE.
I once watched Hubris escape a sundog’s maw and leap back inside it solely to retrieve this exact garment.
She would never part with it, especially to give it to a brat like you. She hates children.
Phineas:
Gideon and Jocasta? Dunno. . .
For all that talk you don’t seem to know my family very well at all.
Hazard:
Your family?
If these are the people you consider family. . .
I’m doing you a favor by ending you here.
Dinkley:
S-should we get his mask too?
Gerard:
May as well.
How do we-
Ulrich:
(DON’T)
Eep!
MHE – PAGE 152
Dinkley:
Wah! What’d you d-do??
Gerard:
Nothing! Dude’s just freakin’ out!
Ulrich:
If you DON’T mind.
This isn’t a mask, it’s a prosthesis.
If you pull it off my eyes will come out with it.
Dinkley:
Omigosh! You almost blinded him!!
Gerard:
Oh. Whoops.
Should we let him keep it, sir?
Hazard:
I really don’t give a damn. He’s not the one you should be worried about.
Phineas:
Sorry about this.
Penelope:
Hey, what are you. . .
Aah! She’s-!
Phineas:
Alright! Here’s how-
Tain:
(Meus)
Phineas:
H..Here…
…
Dinkley:
U-um, are you. . . ?
MHE – PAGE 153
Phineas:
(Eugh!)
Ulrich:
(Blood? Why?)
Phineas:
(Ngh.)
Ulrich:
(It’s like back on the roof. . .)
Impressive! I take it back, Kidd, you are terrifying.
I bet that power could be really effective if you tried using it against opponents.
Phineas:
Bite me.
Hazard:
I was wondering how long that would take
I don’t suppose you’ve ever found yourself commanding from inside a starstone mine like this, have you?
Penelope:
Easy
Phineas:
Why did it rebound like that?
What did you do?
Hazard:
I just made you more visible.
Phineas:
To what?
Hazard:
I’m sure you already know how the stone affects you topside, but you may find…
Down here it tends to be considerably less…accommodating.
Odd the Cr. . . Odd that Gideon wouldn’t tell you about something like this.
He must be slipping in his old age.
It seems like the sort of thing a caring family member might divulge.
Phineas:
You shut your mouth.
Hazard:
Makes one wonder what else he’s neglected to tell you, doesn’t it?
Well, that should be everything I need from you.
Phineas:
Get back here.
Hazard:
Gather them up and take them to the fifth chamber.
Phineas:
I didn’t say you could leave! I’m not done with you!
MHE – PAGE 154
Hazard:
Oh, as much as I’d love to hammer all that ego out of you myself,
I have no interest in a duel with you, commander.
The fact that you still have any kind of respect for Gideon shows how ignorant you are.
Killing you now would mean you’d die before you understood the extent to which you were wronged.
Anything I could do to you myself would only pale in comparison to what that sort of despair will.
And let me impress upon you, if there’s one thing I’m certain of. . .
It’s that no one succumbs to despair quite as spectacularly as a commander does.
I can’t say it’s been a pleasure, student of Gideon.
I don’t expect we’ll meet again.
Phineas:
My name’s Phineas.
And you oughta start expecting me real soon.
Hazard:
Phineas. . .?
Really?
(Haaa. . . )
(That is an ego on you.)
MHE – PAGE 155
Gerard:
You heard him. Let’s get this over with.
Dinkley:
A-are you limping?
Ulrich:
Nothing to worry about, I’m just fine to walk on my own, miss.
Phineas:
I’ll walk on my own too, thanks.
Penelope:
Fine! Jeez!
Gerard:
Okay let’s get something straight here lady.
Those things around your wrists are wizard conjures. Ain’t nothing you can do to take ‘em off before you get where Hazard wants you to be.
There’s shit creeping around down here way worse’n that pretentious asshole.
You can run if you want, but even if you weren’t tied up these things’d eat you alive.
Phineas:
That supposed to scare us?
Gerard:
It’s supposed to keep you from doing something stupid like picking a fight.
We can’t help you, and roughing us up ain’t gonna change that one bit.
. . .
Phineas:
I’m sorry I hurt your friend.
Gerard:
Don’t.
Come on.
Phineas:
. . . It’ll quit stinging in a little bit.
Penelope:
Good to know.
MHE – PAGE 156
Ulrich:
Admittedly I’ve never been in a mine before, so I may just be ignorant, but.
This seems more like a cave to me. I thought a mine would look more artificial.
Dinkley:
I-it’s a side effect of the starstone we dug up, we think. It sort of has. . .
A will of its own?
The walls changed color a few weeks after we broke into the bigger deposit.
The, er. . . The t-tunnels started changing, too. They swallowed up all our supports and most of our rail systems.
They reroute sometimes, it’s easy to get lost.
Tain:
(Eat you up. Eat you)
Phineas:
That sounds un. . . not. . .
Tain:
(Where are you going commander this way)
Phineas:
What was I. . .
Oh!
I wanted to ask, is there a worker down here named Constance?
Ulrich:
Just drop it Phineas!
MHE – PAGE 157
Ulrich:
There’s no Constance, that kid probably doesn’t even have a brother.
It was a trop just like I said, and you fell for it.
Phineas:
Well if there IS a Constance down here it would be REALLY NICE if someone could let him know his brother Simon says hello!
And he’s fine. I didn’t even hit him or anything.
Tain:
(hush hush hush hush)
Ulrich:
Tch.
Phineas:
(Ugh WHAT is that noise?)
(It burns!)
Tain:
(don’t shout don’t shout)
(hush hush hush hush hush hush)
Ulrich:
You’re making an idiot of yourself.
Phineas? What’s wrong with you?
Phineas:
Nothing. I’m peffect.
But your concern is touching! Wanna join me yet?
Ulrich:
Please don’t be weird.
Edwardo:
(Hellooo~)
Phineas:
Hey how come those guys are in there?
Dinkley:
Oh uh, troublemakers.
MHE – PAGE 158
Ulrich:
You mean Hazard doesn’t just kill them?
Gerard:
Is that a problem?
Ulrich:
Only surprised.
Everything I’ve heard about him so far doesn’t make him out to be the type to have holding cells.
Gerard:
Yeah well I ain’t-
HEY!
Penelope:
Will you please behave yourself?
Gerard:
Dammit!
Phineas:
I just wanna ask something.
Gerard:
Why are you so freakin’ heavy??
Penelope:
We have work to get back to, we need to keep moving!
Phineas:
Could you WAIT two seconds?
Dinkley:
Oh dear. . .
Ulrich:
Mm,
They should probably just let her do whatever she’s trying to do.
I can tell you right now they’ll get tired a long time before she does.
Dinkley:
O-oh. . .
MHE – PAGE 159
Dinkley:
G-guys maybe we. . . ?
Guys maybe we should just-
Ah-
JUST
LET HER ASK HER GOD DAMN QUESTION!!
(Ahm. . . )
It’s. . . not really hurting anything is it?
Gerard:
Fine! Whatever!! I don’t care!
Phineas:
Thank you.
Penelope:
(Euugh. . .)
Phineas:
Hi!
I’m looking for someone and I kinda get the feeling she might be in a cell like you two are.
Edwardo:
Who’re you lookin’ for, sweetie?
Phineas:
There’s a rabbit who works as a waitress at, uh. . .
Starts with ‘S’.
Surger?
Ser-jees?
Tain:
(What are you doing commander)
Edwardo:
Oh not our Ellie?
They didn’t drag that poor girl down here did they?
Phineas:
No no she’s fine!
I’m actually looking for her mother.
Tain:
(no no)
MHE – PAGE 160
Edwardo:
Her. . . mother?
I’m awful sorry, but Ellie’s ma passed on just earlier this year.
She and her daddy were real broke up about it.
Suppose it’s been a pretty bad stretch for their little family.
Phineas:
. . . O-oh.
I’m. . . sorry to hear that.
Edwardo:
Are you a friend of Ellie’s?
Phineas:
Yeah, we just met yesterday.
Edwardo:
She’s a real nice girl, she-
Gerard:
Ahem.
This ain’t a social call.
We gotta go.
Phineas:
Right uh, thanks anyway mister.
Edwardo:
I’m sorry I couldn’t help you out, hun.
Phineas:
Okay, NOW we can go.
Gerard:
‘Preciate it, your highness.
Edwardo:
. . . Zed?
Zed:
Mm?
Edwardo:
You kinda feel like she was. . . weighin’ you down?
Zed:
. . . Like I was drownin’.
MHE – PAGE 161
Tain:
(listen listen listen listen)
!!!
Phineas:
Hmm?
Ulrich:
What?
Phineas:
What did you say?
Ulrich:
Nothing. . . ?
Phineas:
You said something.
Ulrich:
I didn’t!
Phineas:
Well SOMEBODY-
Gerard:
SHUT UP!
YOU’RE SO ANNOYING!!
Penelope:
Hey,
Don’t yell, alright?
Not here.
MHE – PAGE 162
DOOR:
(The sun with its brightness brings shadow waking behind it)
Dinkley:
Please stay back.
MHE – PAGE 163
Tain:
Come on in commander
Phineas:
. . .
Tain:
We are waiting
Dinkley:
A-alright. Go on through.
Ulrich:
Is there an alternative?
Phineas:
It’s a lake.
Ulrich:
Shh.
Phineas:
It’s a great big lake full of bad stars.
Ulrich:
You’re delirious. Try to
Phineas:
No listen to me
Gerard:
We ain’t got all day, folks.
Are you walking or are we carrying you?
Phineas:
We’re walking.
MHE – PAGE 164
Phineas:
Me first.
Ulrich:
Have at it.
Phineas:
Don’t be scared. I’ll protect you.
Ulrich:
I have no doubt.
Ach, ladies~
You’ll excuse me if I don’t tip my
. . .
Dinkley:
. . . Sorry.
Gerard:
None of that.
We need to get going.
Ulrich:
-hat.
Uh. the door. . .
Phineas:
No way.
Ulrich:
. . . Kidd?
MHE – PAGE 165
Ulrich:
What the hell’s go-
Phineas:
Stay there! Don’t move!
Tain:
(Chee hee! Hee! Hee!)
What’s that all about?
You trust this thief you just met, but not us?
That hurts.
CARD:
???
Tain:
Man, Kidd, you don’t look so good!
Phineas:
What are you??
Answer me
Tain:
Oh don’t insult us with that force of will bullshit
We can feel you shaking from here! THIS is enough to throw you off guard? What kind of spirit is that for a commander?
You’re an embarrassment, you’re a god damn shameful waste of precious resource.
You really piss us off.
And you know what WE think?
MHE – PAGE 166
Tain:
WE think we’re tired of morons like you. . .
Comparing yourselves to us.
You forget your PLACE.
LET US REMIND YOU!
Phineas:
Alright that’s-
Mana:
(What?!)
(Why-)
Tain:
YOU
HEATHEN
GARBAGE
HOW DARE YOU?!
You have no idea what you’re messing with Kidd!
You are tiny!
You wanna play god?!
Phineas:
Let me
Tain:
We’ll show you what real gods are like!!
MHE – PAGE 167
Tain:
The light you carry is tarnished by your filthy soul
We’re gonna carve every last trace of it out of you
Starting with your beating heart!!
Ulrich:
Hey stupid.
GOD DAMN IT PHINEAS!
Listen to me!
Tain:
False-
A false teller?!
Ulrich:
Snap out of it!
Phineas:
. . . ?
Ul. . . rich?
Ul. . . rich
Very good.
Now just what in the HELL is going on with you?
Phineas:
Oh!
Ulrich! Did it hurt you? Are you okay?
Ulrich:
Are YOU?
What’s wrong with you FACE?
Your hands?
Phineas:
I, uh. . . what did you see?
Ulrich:
This. . .substance came crawling out of the water, towards you.
You just sat there staring like an IDIOT so I intervened. It would have gotten you otherwise.
Phineas:
You beat that thing back?
Ulrich:
Is that strange? It seemed like smoke, I only put my foot through it.
MHE – PAGE 168
Ulrich:
(Sigh…)
God. . .
What kind of freakshow have you dragged me into?
Phineas:
Um, Ulrich?
Ulrich:
Do you need a moment?
Phineas:
I think so. Just for a second.
Ulrich:
Alright, but are you sure you want to rest here?
Phineas:
Pretty sure we’re safe for now. I can’t feel whatever it was anymore. I think you hurt it somehow.
We need to cover my back though. That’s what it’s after. They.
Ulrich:
I’m not following.
Phineas:
It’s. . . light gets through it. It’s a light and they’re moths. ‘Cept sharper.
My coat usually keeps stuff like that away so I don’t really think about it. I didn’t realize how much. . .
Ulrich:
Er. . .
Could this help?
Not like I have guns to hide at the moment.
It’s not a feat of arcana like yours, but it serves me fairly well.
Phineas:
Actually it might work, if you give it with the right intention.
Commanders’ coats are just regular ones with gusto in ‘em. It’s wordpower, more than it’s the material.
Ulrich:
The marvels spring eternal. Just put it on before you pass out again.
And wipe off that frown. It disagrees with you.
Phineas:
Hee!
That should do fine.
I just need a second, it shouldn’t
Ulrich:
Here, face the other direction.
Phineas:
. . . Okay?
Ha ha, cold already?
Ulrich:
Don’t sound so pleased with yourself.
If there are monsters around here that I can’t see, I’d rather take every precaution we can.
If my clothing wards off these creatures, the rest of me should be able to just as well, yes?
Phineas:
Theoretically, yeah.
MHE – PAGE 169
Phineas:
This sucks though! I’m so exhausted!
The air in this place is so full of static I can’t focus on anything.
Ulrich:
No static for me. All I see are shiny rocks
Phineas:
Hee, I think you scare them. You’re like a beacon, your voice cuts right through everything.
Makes it easier to think.
Ulrich:
Wonderful. Let’s talk, then.
You’re COMPLETELY full of shit, aren’t you?
Phineas:
Ha ha, about what?
Ulrich:
Everything. All of it. This swill about souls and hearts and whatever else.
You were bluffing when you said I was lying last night.
You fooled me. Well done.
Phineas:
Oh, nah. I’m no good at lying even when I want to.
Everything I’ve said is true.
Ulrich:
NO it is NOT.
What about Ellie? Did she not say her mother was being held captive? That she was her whole reason for staying here?
Phineas:
She did. So?
Ulrich:
SO if the woman is DEAD then Ellie’s PLAYING YOU you SIMP!
Phineas:
Good people tell lies too, if they got reasons for it.
Ulrich:
Stop! You’re embarrassing!
You don’t have this amazing power of observation, your act is getting old.
Phineas:
You keep talking like it’s some kinda voodoo.
Ulrich:
It is. You can’t bullshit a bullshitter.
I can prove it too, I’m.
I’m not. . .
I’m not what you think I am.
Phineas:
Which is what. Exactly? Don’t be stupid.
If it makes you feel better you can tell me whatever you want, but I really don’t give a damn.
I don’t need convincing.
MHE – PAGE 170
Phineas:
I already made up my mind about you, nothing you say’s gonna change it.
You can have your little crisis of personality if you gotta, but I know your spirit’s a good one. Even if you can’t see it yet.
It’s fine. Take your time.
I’ll believe enough for both of us until you do too.
Ulrich:
Ach don’t! Say things like that!
Look around you! Look where we are!
We are currently trapped underground with no weapons, surrounded by apparently invisible demons
Who, at the very least, have already attempted to set you on fire.
All of this has happened expressly because you have horrible judgement.
How can you sit there and insist you’re right about anything?
Phineas:
Well you stayed, didn’t you?
Ulrich:
. . . What are you getting at?
Phineas:
Hazard gave you an out and you stayed with me anyway.
That was pretty decent of you, don’t you think?
Ulrich:
It’s. . . I just. . .
Phineas:
It was a long walk over here, you had lots of chances to leave and you didn’t even try it, cuffs or not.
Ulrich:
. . .
Phineas:
I’m not wrong about you. I’m not wrong about Ellie or Simon.
Everything’s gonna work out alright
I am sorry they took your guns, though.
Ulrich:
(Sigh)
Phineas:
I promise I’ll get them back.
Ulrich:
. . . Your. . . concern is appreciated, but to be honest they’re the least of my worries.
MHE – PAGE 171
Ulrich:
I told you, I’m very lucky.
Things are taken from me frequently in my line of work. Invariably, they find their ways back.
Phineas:
(Hee! Hee!)
I knew you were an optimist!
Ulrich:
It’s not optimism.
It’s just how things are.
Phineas:
Sure.
Ulrich:
Er.
Are you feeling any better? We really shouldn’t stay here any longer than we need to.
I don’t mean to ALARM you but-
Phineas:
I know.
I feel better but,
Its like things are pulling at me, it makes my head all fuzzy.
He said he made me visible. . . I’m not sure. . .
. . . And he’s wrong anyway. Gideon did tell me about this kind of thing, I just.
It caught me off guard. I’ll be ready next time.
Ulrich:
. . .
Who is Gideon?
Do you mind telling me?
Phineas:
It’s not really a secret or anything.
Gideon’s my teacher.
He’s the only commander alive who’s better at it than me.
Ulrich:
Do you have any idea what he did to upset Hazard so much? Knowing may be helpful to us.
Phineas:
I really don’t.
I mean, everyone’s done stuff they’re not proud of.
But Gideon’s the best person I know.
He’s told me all kinds of stories about all kinds of people, but he’s never said anything about anyone like Hazard before.
MHE – PAGE 172
Ulrich:
He was. . . cold.
Phineas:
Oh man, it must be real bad if you felt it.
Ulrich:
What is that supposed to mean?
Phineas:
Most people domn’t notice auras at all if you feel it too that means he’s like, extra rotten.
It. . . usually means they’ve been. . . damaged somehow.
It’s definitely the worst I’ve ever felt. Everyone says it’s like drowning but I don’t think that’s quite it.
It’s more. . .
Like a void. An absence.
Ulrich:
Delightful.
Truly, you commanders are an endless fount of novelty minutia.
Phineas:
PfffHazard’s not a commander.
Ulrich:
What?
WHAT?
What the HELL?! I don’t understand any of this shit!
Phineas:
He’s a wizard. Way different.
Ulrich:
Every time I feel like I’m getting a handle on things you change the rules!
Phineas:
I know, this stuff looks kinda confusing from the outside huh?
I promise, we’ll sit down and I’ll explain everything once this is all done.
Ulrich:
Assuming, again, that I”ll stay with you after.
BOX:
(Ignoring that)
Phineas:
I should probably tell you now, though. These things bothering me. I think they want me to sleep, they’re trying to wear me down.
I don’t know what for but it’s probably uh. Bad things might happen. If that
Ulrich:
Oh please.
MHE – PAGE 173
Ulrich:
You signed a contract when you beat me before, sunshine.
(Even if it was just a fluke.)
You’re carrying both of our reputations now, you better start acting like it.
Discrediting your own ability discredits mine as well. Don’t insult me.
Phineas:
I never thought about it like that.
Alright. Sorry.
I won’t let us down.
Kid:
Feather lady!
Gloria:
Honey that’s rude.
Kid:
Feathers feathers!
Ellie:
Aww he’s alright.
Is it my ears? I guess they’re sorta feather shaped.
Kid:
Nonono feathers! Not ears!
MHE – PAGE 174
Gloria:
I’m sorry Ellie, I don’t know why he always does that.
Kid:
(Hmph)
Ellie:
I think he’s adorable.
Gloria:
So where’s your pa today? I have the whiskey I promised.
Ellie:
Oh I’m sorry, he’s out for the day.
I sent him into the city to get some things, won’t be back until tomorrow I imagine.
Gloria:
Oh that’s a-
Ahm
That’s a shame.
Ellie:
What’s-
Ray:
Afternoon, angel.
Ellie:
Good afternoon Raymond.
Ray:
Aw where ya goin?
Ha ha ha that’s cold babe!
You know I like it better when you. . .
What is THAT?
Ellie:
What’s what?
MHE – PAGE 175
Ray:
THAT on your BLOUSE!
Ellie:
Oh stop it! My father gave it to me this morning.
N. . . not that it’s any of your business.
Ray:
. . . Oh.
. . . Mmm let’s not start the day off like this.
I just wanted to let you know I forgive you for hitting me yesterday.
I know that commander being here made you nervous.
It doesn’t even hurt anymore! You can stop worrying.
Ellie:
Uh huh.
Ray:
Ahem.
Listen, Elle.
I want you to come with me.
Ellie:
What?
Ray:
Yeah! I’ll get us out of here, you and me, we can make a fresh start someplace else.
We can even get married, once I get enough cash put up!
Ellie:
. . .
Are you insane?
MHE – PAGE 176
Ellie:
That’s. . . we. .
I can’t leave-
Gloria:
— —- —— — — —– –
Ray:
Don’t worry, Hazard won’t even notice! He doesn’t actually care about controllin the town, he just wants the stone!
And you’re not involved in any of that, are you?
Ellie:
M. . my dad, the SHOP, I-
Ray:
Oh stop making excuses!
This DUMP? Are you KIDDING ME?
Old lady:
Hey!
. . .
Ray:
What the-
Old lady:
I’m bout tired’a your shit, boy!
Ray:
Calm down before you stroke out you old hag!
Old lady:
You goddamn sonsa bitches think you run the place! How dare you talk to a lady like that??
What’d you do with all my gunpowder??
Ray:
What the hell are you talking about? Quit hitting me!
Old lady:
MY HUSBAND said a PUNK ASS KID with LONG HAIR
SUNGLASSES
And BIG HAIRY ARMS held up his coach at gunpoint! WHERE’S OUR SHIPMENT??
Ellie:
Long hair and. . .
MHE – PAGE 177
Ray:
Dammit!
I didn’t steal nothin!
Who do you think you’re talking to?!
This ain’t none of your business!
Let’s see how YOU like it!
Ellie:
That’s enough.
Ray:
What’s gotten INTO you??
Ellie:
I’m not gonna sit here and watch this.
Ray:
Sorry Elle but I don’t think YOU’RE-
Ellie:
You’re going to leave now.
Ray:
W-where did that come from?
MHE – PAGE 178
Ray:
Yeah?
Ellie:
Or I’ll make you leave.
Ray:
. . .
That’s your answer then.
Ellie:
Yes, it is.
Ray:
(Heh-heh heh)
Hey alright. I can take a hint.
We had a good run.
I’ll see you around Elle.
Ellie:
(Wheeze)
Old lady:
Hey! Can I get a hand?
Ellie:
Oh! Are you okay?
Old lady:
Why wouldn’t I be??
Bout goddamn time you stood up for yourself, girly.
It ain’t right the way he treats you.
Ellie:
Yeah, well. . .
I’m awful sorry, Gloria. Is he alright?
Gloria:
Just a little rattled I think.
He always gets like this around that boy.
MHE – PAGE 179
Gloria:
Hey come on.
It’s okay now sweetheart.
Ellie:
Would a piece of cake help you feel better?
Kid:
. . . ?
Gloria:
Ha ha ha, there we go.
Ellie:
Lemme go fetch us some.
I might just have a slice my. . .
Ray:
I want you to remember, Ellie. It didn’t need to be this way.
This was your decision.
MHE – PAGE 180
Eisse:
Hey there you are!
Been busy? How’d it go?
Hazard:
. . ..
Eisse:
Uh, dad?
Hazard:
They won’t be bothering us again.
Eisse:
They?
Hazard:
There was, ah. . . someone else, with her. A boy with yellow hair.
Eisse:
. . . He wasn’t wearing a ridiculous mask was he?
Hazard:
Completely Ridiculous.
Eisse:
Ahem. . .
Well they’re both dead now, right?
. . . Riiight?
MHE – PAGE 181
Hazard:
If they aren’t already they will be soon.
Eisse:
Oh my GOD you CAN’T be serious!
Ooh I knew you’d pull something like this!
You had them right in front of you! If you don’t watch someone die they’re not dead.
That’s your rule! What are you doing?
Hazard:
This situation is different.
Eisse:
Of course it is! HOw could it not be?!
She’s Gideon’s pet and your freakish obsession is making you
Hazard:
I suggest
You do not complete that statement.
Eisse:
S. . . sorry. But-
Hazard:
. . . Perhaps I’ve lived too long. My perspective may be. . .
Archaic.
But it seems to me you kids are terribly presumptuous.
You are tiny, and you’re interfering with machinery incomprehensibly huge.
Assuming the brilliance of a star seems wondrous while you’re looking up at one with your feet covered in dust.
No one ever seems to remember how stars die until they’ve risen too high to stop themselves.
Eisse:
(Here we go.)
MHE – PAGE 182
Hazard:
Commanders. . .
. . . Are a cancer. Left alone they consume anything they touch.
They latch onto whatever they can get their filthy claws in and they never let go.
When they finally collapse – and they all do collapse – they take everything down with them. Everyone.
The higher they’ve ascended, the wider their fallout.
If little Phineas is a commander and a sun chaser, her potential is absolutely titanic.
She’s already monstrously strong for how long she’s actually been practicing.
Unchecked, I’m not sure this world could handle it when she goes.
That is not a chance we can afford to take
Eisse:
So WHY didn’t you take her head when you had the chance?
Hazard:
Don’t interrupt me, darling.
By nature, commanders have complete control over their physical beings.
With enough focus they can adjust their body’s reactions, their own metabolism, to adapt to nearly any condition.
They can purify themselves of toxins, redirect their nerve impulses, even slow their bloodflow long enough to survive a mortal wound.
It requires a massive amount of energy, but while the will to live is powerful enough the body will almost always obey.
This suggests invincibility, but the weakness is deceptively simple.
You don’t break the body.
You break the heart.
MHE – PAGE 183
Hazard:
While her death in the mines would be ideal, it’s more important that she simply remain there long enough for the Tain to affect her.
This will likely frighten away her accomplice as well.
Whatever she projects, there’s still uncertainty in her, I suspect because she’s on her own.
Alone, a star does not constitute a solar system. Commanders tend to crave companionship.
They often have a. . . an innate gravity, which makes them. . . hard to refuse.
But Phineas doesn’t seem to be using hers to coerce the boy, for some reason.
In any case, her skin isn’t thickened yet. His rejection, along with the realization that she’s in far over her head, ought to be enough to surface her doubts.
Should she somehow make it this far, I’ll be able to finish her off.
Now.
Does that sufficiently answer your question, dearheart?
Eisse:
I guess.
Were the dramatics necessary?
Hazard:
You should give me more credit. I’ve been. . . what word did you so tactfully employ?
I’ve been obsessed with these demons for a very long time.
I’m quite familiar with the process of their destruction.
Eisse:
. . .
Daddy are you al-
Hazard:
Do me a favor, Eisse, and keep an eye on things for an hour or so?
I need to. . .
. . .
Eisse:
Sure.
MHE – PAGE 184
Eisse:
SIGH
Jeez.
Hazard:
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
Ah-
-ahaha. . .
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HAHAHA
MHE – PAGE 185
Helpful Citizen:
Naw, ain’t no use.
Even if we had the manpower it wouldn’t do no good.
Got no water and no way to use it anyhow.
Just try’n get everyone evacuated fore it spreads too much, I suppose.
Be an awful shame if someone died cause’a that boy’s bullshit.
Ellie:
?
Oh-!
Sergei:
MHE – PAGE 186
Sergei:
<Ah, is so silly, you know? Why would they build a. . . >
Ellie:
D A D
sorry it wasn’t- wasn’t supposed to happen like this.>
Sergei:
my daughter first, my sweet Ellia.>
Ellie:
. . .
(Snff)
Sergei:
Ellie:
I will.
MHE – PAGE 187
Citizen A:
Ellie?
Citizen B:
(Uh)
Hey wait!
Citizen C:
Don’t get so close!
Ellie:
LISTEN!
I need all of you to stay back!
PLEASE DON’T INTERFERE!
MHE – PAGE 188
Crowd:
STOP!
What the hell is she doing?!
MHE – PAGE 189
SCROLL:
Should the sun to darkness turn
Should hearts with fear begin to burn
With elder will I’ll mine enwrite
MHE – PAGE 190
Kid:
(Hee! Hee! Hee!)
Ellie:
All will be well! Don’t despair!
CARD:
ELLIE
HASTUR’S EMISSARY
Blazing Guardian
Rank ★★★, Single Division
SCROLL:
Come scarlet skies
We’ll bring the light
Ellie:
Keep your eyes skyward!